Having grown up, and grown, with Harlequins, there was little doubt that Chris Robshaw would commit his future to the club – and probably the remainder of his career.
But a decade on since his Premiership debut with his boyhood heroes, the 31-year-old is determined to make the next three years the most memorable and help heal the scars of past pain.
After a difficult five years since their sole title success, Robshaw believes he is with the best Quins side of his time. And England too, having played a crucial part in the 18-match winning run that equalled New Zealand’s tier one world record.
His aims and objectives will remain secret, but he says: “There’s a fair amount on the list. As a player and person, you want to be successful and achieve. I’ve won a couple of trophies, but I want to win a lot more with club and country.
“When you look back at your career they are the things you will miss, playing in finals, playing in big games, because they don’t come around so often. I want to embrace this moment.
“It has been a bit up and down in recent years with Quins, but I firmly believe our squad now is better than it has been. Saracens are the benchmark, they’ve won the last two European Champions Cups and are the target for everyone.”
Under Eddie Jones, England are in a good place too after their fine run and back-toback Six Nations titles. Despite being shorn of key men on the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, they still recorded a 2-0 summer series win in Argentina.
“It’s an extremely exciting time for English rugby,” former captain Robshaw tells Sport360°. “You look at the squad that went to Argentina and the depth coming through. You’ve got the Lions guys to come back into the equation. That’s an extremely privileged position we are in, to show that if someone is injured or out, someone else steps in and plays to an extremely high level. We are always challenging each other to be better – and where Eddie puts us.
“He challenges you in the right way. His man management is extremely good. He knows how to get the best out of people and give you the confidence. You’ve seen it out there in our games with guys playing some of their best rugby.
“There’s a huge amount of youth and that’s a very exciting prospect. There is that mix with experience. A lot of players have now been around the world, know what it takes to win and perform in the big moments.
“I’ve been speaking to a couple of the guys who went on the Lions tour from our place (Quins), and they said it was great to work with different players, different coaches. That’s the important thing, to see how other players operate. You learn.”
Robshaw is still eager to improve and remain a cornerstone of the England backrow at least until the 2019 Rugby World Cup – and the chance of redemption after his hopes of leading the team to glory on home soil in 2015 ended with a shock pool stage exit.
Criticism subsequently followed for the flanker and coach Stuart Lancaster, who was replaced by Australian Jones and he, in turn, appointed Dylan Hartley as new skipper.
Yet Robshaw’s consistently strong displays have shown he is revelling without the leadership role for England or Quins as he admits: “Of course there’s more pressure as captain. You are the guy at the top and the buck stops with you.
“You have to make sure the team is in the right place, everything is covered that you’ve been doing during the week. It’s not a burden, but there’s more responsibility and roles for you to fulfil.
“I think not being captain has allowed me to relax a bit more and focus on my individual game. Of course you can help others, but have the individual focus to improve your game.
“I’m enjoying my game at the moment. I’m lucky enough to play in an England team where Dylan has captained extremely well and James Horwill is a good appointment as captain at Quins. I feel there’s a lot more rugby left in me and I still want to win stuff with Quins and go to the next World Cup.
“Redemption? Of course it will be. First and foremost I want to make the squad. Look, the last World Cup didn’t go the way we wanted. Myself and a lot of players want to go there and have a shot at it again.
“It was an extremely tough time and took a fair amount of time to get over. It’s a scar I will always wear I think. And it’s given me that experience, a painful one, but one I will improve from, one I will continue to move forward from, and evolve and learn.
“There’s a lot of people around you, whether it’s [fiancee] Camilla, family, friends, team-mates, they were all a massive part of putting it behind me. Then there’s one point where you decide enough’s enough and let’s move forward and try to improve.”
Robshaw’s renaissance since the 2015 showpiece has earned respect and continuing to inspire with England has helped overcome any disappointment in missing out on the Lions tours in 2013 to Australia and this summer’s tour to New Zealand.
“I don’t get involved in that,” he adds. “I saw the New Zealand series, I’m still a rugby man. But I went to Argentina and really enjoyed that tour. Now I’m looking forward to this season.
“It’s not until you get to this kind of age when people start talking about when you are going to finish your career. When you are playing, you just live for the moment and don’t think about that end.
“It is not only how your body is, but your mind. I was speaking to [Thierry] Dusautoir after the Barbarians game and asked how he was [after retiring at 35] and he said it’s tough mentally and physically now. Eventually it takes its toll. “But I’m still driven, I still love the game.”
AT THE BREAKDOWN
One to watch this season
Francis Saili at Quins, he looks special and has worked hard since he came to us this summer.
Best player played with
Owen Farrell. He’s always been good, but now he’s going to that next level.
Toughest opponent
Richie McCaw. Always tough, and always played well.
Off the pitch
Still the coffee shop, Josie’s, in Winchester, and we’re about to open our second one in Petersfield. I love my golf and I support Arsenal – hopefully they have a good year.
